Washington, D.C. - Today, the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Appellate Body ruled against the United States’ Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements for meat, upholding the compliance panel’s report in finding against the United States. House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (R-TX) issued the following statement upon the WTO’s announcement.
“Once again, the WTO has found COOL to be non-compliant – a decision we fully expected. As retaliation by Canada and Mexico becomes a reality, it is more important now than ever to act quickly to avoid a protracted trade war with our two largest trade partners. I have asked my colleagues on the Agriculture Committee to weigh in on resolving this issue once and for all during a business meeting this Wednesday in a targeted effort to remove ongoing uncertainty and to provide stability.”
Conaway will also host a press conference tomorrow, Tuesday, May 19th, at 11:00 a.m. at the House Triangle alongside Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA), Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC), Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR), John Murphy of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Ken Monahan of the National Association of Manufacturers, John Weber of the National Pork Producers Council, and Philip Ellis of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Members and industry representatives will address the need for swift action by Congress to avoid the economically devastating effects of retaliation.
